William Barnes, 92, speaks at a ceremony at Camp Shelby after donating his World War II uniform and personal effects. Barnes is accompanied by his daughter, Cindy Barnes, left, and son, Allen.

Written by

David Breland
American Staff Writer

Coast Guard and Army officials were on hand Friday to honor a World War II Coast Guard veteran for his contribution to Mississippi military history.

William Barnes, 92, former petty officer first class in the U.S. Coast Guard, donated his service uniform and other personal effects to the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby after visiting the museum in 2004, he said.

"I visited here in 2004, and I noticed that they just didn't have much of anything about the Coast Guard, and there was not a Coast Guard uniform along with the other four branches of the armed forces," Barnes said. "So, I ...